How to configure SNS for sending SMS in the USA region?

Question

Hi,

We have created an App with a phone call feature and the USA Users need to register their phone number before using it. To provide security to our app, and to avoid any phone number registration abuse, I need to send an SMS verification to each USA User.

My question is, 
1. Do we really need to register in US_TOLL_FREE? AWS said we needed to get the US Toll Free number so we did it but we have been waited 15 days already still no answer from them. Is there any other way?
2. What is the proper way to register US Toll Free number for SMS from AWS?

This is the result when I tried to send an SMS.
{
    "notification": {
        "messageId": "XXXXXX",
        "timestamp": "2024-08-18 00:35:02.935"
    },
    "delivery": {
        "destination": "+XXXXXXXXXXX",
        "smsType": "Transactional",
        "providerResponse": "No origination identity available to send to destination number",
        "dwellTimeMs": 146
    },
    "status": "FAILURE"
}

Thanks in advance!

Praveen Muppala · Accepted Answer

When deciding between **10DLC** (10-Digit Long Code) and **US Toll-Free Numbers** for sending SMS in the U.S., it depends on your specific use case and how quickly you need to get started.

### **10DLC (10-Digit Long Code)**:
- **What it’s for**: 10DLC is built for businesses sending text messages to customers, like alerts, notifications, or marketing messages.
- **Speed & Throughput**: While it might not handle as many messages per second as a toll-free number, it's perfect for businesses that need to send a lot of texts in a way that feels more personal (like one-on-one conversations).
- **Cost**: It’s typically a bit cheaper than toll-free for sending a high volume of messages.
- **Approval Time**: 10DLC requires you to register your brand and campaign with The Campaign Registry. The approval process can take some time based on your campaign details.
- **Best For**: If you’re looking to send regular business texts and need to balance cost with reliability, 10DLC is a solid option. It works great for ongoing communication with customers but be aware that approval might take longer.

### **US Toll-Free Numbers**:
- **What it’s for**: Toll-free numbers are great for customer service or any situation where you expect a two-way conversation.
- **Speed & Throughput**: These numbers can handle more messages per second, making them better for high-volume campaigns.
- **Cost**: They usually cost a bit more per message, but the difference might be worth it if speed and throughput are priorities.
- **Approval Time**: The good news is that getting a toll-free number approved is usually quicker and easier compared to 10DLC.
- **Best For**: If you need to send a lot of texts quickly (like for promotions or urgent updates), or expect responses from your customers, toll-free numbers are a great fit. The approval process tends to be faster too.

### **Which one is faster to get approved?**  
In general, **US Toll-Free Numbers** are quicker to get approved because the registration process is more straightforward. If you’re in a hurry, toll-free is probably your best bet. However, if your focus is more on cost-efficiency for high-volume messages, **10DLC** may offer better long-term value, though it could take a bit longer to get set up.

Read this for more details :

[Toll-free number registration process](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sms-voice/latest/userguide/registrations-tfn.html)

[10DLC registration process](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sms-voice/latest/userguide/registrations-10dlc.html)

Praveen Muppala · Answer

Hello Gerard,

Did you use the **AWS End User Messaging** service for your Toll-Free registration? As per the [AWS Documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sms-voice/latest/userguide/registrations-tfn.html), processing the Toll-Free registration will generally take 15 days.

You can find an example Python Boto3 code to send SMS notifications using a Toll-Free number here: [Send SMS Using Toll-Free Number](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sms-voice/latest/userguide/send-sms-voice-message.html).

How to configure SNS for sending SMS in the USA region?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code):

US Toll-Free Numbers:

Which one is faster to get approved?

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